The University of Alaska Fairbanks hosts the only Army Reserve Officers
Training Corps (ROTC) program in Alaska. An integral part of UAF since 1922,
the program initially was not an official ROTC program but a military science
curriculum, mandatory for all male freshmen and sophomores. In 1935, Dr.
Charles Bunnell, president of the university, petitioned the War Department
to officially open an Army ROTC program at the university; approval was
granted in 1940. The program has continued to develop since then. Today's
ROTC program is staffed with both Regular Army and Alaska National Guard
officers and non-commissioned officers, providing students with a balance
of knowledge and experiences.

The focus of the program is academic excellence and preparing leaders.
All students enrolled in at least one course are assigned a faculty member
to provide leadership and academic counseling. The counseling is closely
monitored by the department head and is conducted twice every semester.

The program offers a myriad of resources from scholarships to athletic
teams to academic assistance. The Arctic Region Supercomputing Center
(ARSC) is funded by the Department of Defense, and ROTC students may have
research assistantship opportunities to work on the ARSC systems.

Neighboring Fort Wainwright offers students numerous opportunities to
participate in military activities such as the arctic biathlon competition,
mentorships and recreational activities in an arctic environment.

The Department of Military Science hosts several activities and organizations.
The Ranger Challenge team, a varsity-level sport, participates in an annual
competition against other Pacific rim schools in Hawaii or Guam. Other
athletic events include a rifle team and color guard. The color guard
routinely participates at the opening of UAF Nanook sporting events. An
ROTC Cadet club also is sponsored by the department and is an integral
part of the university. Cadet club members organize campus events for
student activities.

Army ROTC provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships
and monthly allowances known as stipends. The current stipend ranges between
$250 and $400 monthly depending on military science class level, and is
tax free for all committed cadets. ROTC scholarships also pay 100 percent
of tuition and mandatory fees. The length may range from two to four or
five years, depending upon the competitiveness of the applicant. In addition
to the scholarships, the university grants the department four housing fee
waivers per semester for scholarship students. Additional fee and book allowances
also are granted in conjunction with the scholarships. In accordance with
NCAA regulations for this university, Army ROTC scholarships may be awarded
in conjunction with athletic scholarships.

Military science courses are not different from any other college-level
course and satisfy electives to a maximum of 23 credits toward degree requirements.
Classes are offered every semester, including outdoor skills labs. Labs
are designed to provide students with a class that is hands on and include
instruction in areas such as repelling, skiing and survival.

Army ROTC is comprised of two levels: the basic course followed by the
advance course. Credit for the basic course is earned in several ways.
The most elementary method is through successfully completing freshman
and sophomore military science classes. Two additional methods for earning
basic course credit include completing a four-week summer camp or having
prior military basic training. Students do not incur any obligation to
Army ROTC or the Armed Forces during the basic course.